Press Release:
California Farm Bureau Federation
May 17, 2019
The California Farm Bureau Federation supports President Trump’s removal of steel and aluminum tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports and urges swift ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
“With Canada and Mexico agreeing to lift their retaliatory tariffs on many California agricultural products, it will provide a boost in exports and have a ripple effect throughout the farm and rural economy,” CFBF President Jamie Johansson said. “The president’s action today to remove steel and aluminum tariffs on two of our trading allies eliminates a major obstacle to USMCA moving through Congress.”
The next step is for the president to submit USMCA to Congress for approval.
“We urge our California senators and representatives to work together for quick passage of USMCA,” Johansson said. “This could be a bipartisan achievement resulting in a big victory for the family farm.”
Canada represents the second-largest market for California agricultural exports, with sales of more than $3.3 billion in 2016, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Mexico is the No. 5 foreign market for California farm products, with sales of more than $1 billion in 2016.
